Path-Q Solar
Can solar still pay off if my roof is shaded only in the morning?
Answer
Yes, it can, because the roof may still produce substantially during unshaded hours; however, the financial result depends on how much morning production is lost, when the household uses electricity, and how exported electricity is credited. A production and bill-impact analysis is needed.
Key points
- Morning shade is usually less damaging than shade during the site's strongest production period, but it is not automatically minor.
- Daytime household loads can use solar production directly and may improve the value of unshaded output.
- A system may be sized or laid out to avoid the most affected roof areas.
What it depends on
- Duration and severity of morning shade
- Household usage by hour
- Roof orientation and seasonal sun path
- Electricity import and export terms
- Installation cost and financing assumptions
Risks and trade-offs
- Annual production estimates may not show the effect on bill savings if usage and production occur at different times.
- Avoiding shaded areas may reduce system size and potential generation.
- Financial results can change with current utility or billing terms.
Information you may need
- Hourly or interval usage if available
- A year-round shade and production estimate
- Current electricity bill and export-credit terms
- System price and financing assumptions
Your next step
What to do next
Compare an unshaded-area design with a full-roof design using your actual bill and current electricity-credit terms.
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